New International VersionThe day you leave and cross the Kidron Valley, you can be sure you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”
New Living TranslationOn the day you so much as cross the Kidron Valley, you will surely die; and your blood will be on your own head.”
English Standard VersionFor on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head.”
Berean Standard BibleOn the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”
King James BibleFor it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
New King James VersionFor it shall be, on the day you go out and cross the Brook Kidron, know for certain you shall surely die; your blood shall be on your own head.”
New American Standard BibleFor on the day you leave and cross the brook Kidron, you will know for certain that you will assuredly die; your blood will be on your own head.”
NASB 1995“For on the day you go out and cross over the brook Kidron, you will know for certain that you shall surely die; your blood shall be on your own head.”
NASB 1977“For it will happen on the day you go out and cross over the brook Kidron, you will know for certain that you shall surely die; your blood shall be on your own head.”
Legacy Standard BibleNow it will be on the day you go out and cross over the brook Kidron, that you will know for certain that you shall surely die; your blood shall be on your own head.”
Amplified BibleFor on the day you leave and cross over the Brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall surely die; your blood shall be on your own head.”
Christian Standard BibleOn the day you do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die. Your blood will be on your own head.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleOn the day you do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die. Your blood will be on your own head.”
American Standard VersionFor on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, know thou for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
Contemporary English VersionIf you ever cross Kidron Valley and leave Jerusalem, you will be killed. And it will be your own fault."
English Revised VersionFor on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, know thou for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationBut the day you leave and cross the brook in the Kidron Valley, you can be certain that you will die. You will be responsible for your own death."
Good News TranslationIf you ever leave and go beyond Kidron Brook, you will certainly die--and you yourself will be to blame."
International Standard VersionIf you ever leave and cross the Kidron Brook, you can be sure that you'll die. You'll be responsible for your own death."
NET BibleIf you ever do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die! You will be responsible for your own death."
New Heart English BibleFor on the day you go out, and pass over the wadi of the Kidron, know for certain that you shall surely die: your blood shall be on your own head."
Webster's Bible TranslationFor it shall be, that on the day thou shalt go out, and pass over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thy own head. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOn the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”
World English BibleFor on the day you go out and pass over the brook Kidron, know for certain that you will surely die. Your blood will be on your own head.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand it has been, in the day of your going out, and you have passed over the Brook of Kidron, you certainly know that you surely die—your blood is on your head.”
Young's Literal Translation and it hath been, in the day of thy going out, and thou hast passed over the brook Kidron, thou dost certainly know that thou dost surely die -- thy blood is on thy head.'
Smith's Literal TranslationFor being in the day of thy going forth, and thou didst pass the torrent Kidron, knowing, thou shalt know that dying, thou shalt die: thy blood shall be upon thy head. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor on what day soever thou shalt go out, and shalt pass over the brook Cedron, know that thou shalt be put to death: thy blood shall be upon thy own head:
Catholic Public Domain VersionFor on whatever day you will have departed and crossed the torrent Kidron, know that you shall be put to death. Your blood will be upon your own head.”
New American BibleFor the day you leave, and cross the Wadi Kidron, be certain you shall surely die. Your blood shall be upon your own head.”
New Revised Standard VersionFor on the day you go out, and cross the Wadi Kidron, know for certain that you shall die; your blood shall be on your own head.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor on the day that you go out and cross the brook Kidron, you shall know for certain that you shall surely die; your blood shall be upon your own head.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd in the day that you go out and cross over the Torrent of Qedrown, know surely that you shall die and your blood shall be on your head.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, know thou for certain that thou shalt surely die; thy blood shall be upon thine own head.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd it shall come to pass in the day that thou shalt go forth and cross over the brook Kedron, know assuredly that thou shalt certainly die: thy blood shall be upon thine head. And the king caused him to swear in that day.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Execution of Shimei36Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. 37On the dayyou go outand crossthe KidronValley,know for surethatyou will die;your bloodwill beon your own head.”38“The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.…
Cross References 2 Samuel 15:23-30Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness. / Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had passed out of the city. / Then the king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place again. ...
2 Samuel 19:18-23and crossed at the ford to carry over the king’s household and to do what was good in his sight. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king / and said, “My lord, do not hold me guilty, and do not remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart. / For your servant knows that I have sinned, so here I am today as the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” ...
2 Samuel 16:5-13As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ...
2 Samuel 3:26-27As soon as Joab had left David, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David was unaware of it. / When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
2 Samuel 20:9-10“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.
1 Kings 1:50-53But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’” / And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” ...
1 Kings 2:8-9Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’ / Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”
1 Kings 2:42-46the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the LORD and warn you, ‘On the day you leave and go elsewhere, know for sure that you will die’? And you told me, ‘The sentence is fair; I will comply.’ / So why have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the command that I gave you?” / The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head. ...
1 Kings 11:29-31During that time, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met Jeroboam on the road as he was going out of Jerusalem. Now Ahijah had wrapped himself in a new cloak, and the two of them were alone in the open field. / And Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, / and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes.
1 Kings 13:1-3Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD. / And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’” / That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’”
1 Kings 14:10-14Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone! / Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.’ For the LORD has spoken. / As for you, get up and go home. When your feet enter the city, the child will die. ...
2 Kings 23:15-17He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole. / And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things. / Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?” And the men of the city replied, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel.”
Jeremiah 26:20-23Now there was another man prophesying in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land the same things that Jeremiah did. / King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt. / Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men. ...
Matthew 5:25-26Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. / Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 10:28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Treasury of Scripture For it shall be, that on the day you go out, and pass over the brook Kidron, you shall know for certain that you shall surely die: your blood shall be on your own head. over the 1 Kings 15:13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed frombeing queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burntit by the brook Kidron. 2 Samuel 15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. 2 Kings 23:6 And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stampedit small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. Cedron 1 Kings 2:31,33 And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father… Leviticus 20:9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his bloodshall be upon him. Joshua 2:19 And it shall be,that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his bloodshall be upon his head, and wewill be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his bloodshall be on our head, ifany hand be upon him. Jump to Previous BloodBrookCrossDeathDieForthGoestHeadKidronLeavePassedPassestStreamSureSurelyTorrentValleyJump to Next BloodBrookCrossDeathDieForthGoestHeadKidronLeavePassedPassestStreamSureSurelyTorrentValley1 Kings 2 1.David, having given a charge to Solomon3.of Reverence5.of Joab7.of Barzillai8.of Shimei10.Solomon succeeds12.Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag,13.is put to death26.Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood28.Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain35.Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's36.Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death.On the day you go out and cross the Kidron ValleyThe Kidron Valley is a significant geographical location in biblical history, situated east of Jerusalem between the city and the Mount of Olives. It often served as a boundary marker. In this context, Solomon is setting a clear boundary for Shimei, who had previously cursed David. The Kidron Valley is also mentioned in connection with Jesus' journey to the Garden of Gethsemane, symbolizing a place of decision and consequence ( John 18:1). Crossing it represents a deliberate act of defiance against the king's command. know for sure that you will die
This phrase underscores the certainty and seriousness of the consequence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oaths and commands from a king were binding and carried severe penalties if broken. The certainty of death for disobedience reflects the justice system of the time, where the king's word was law. It also echoes the biblical principle that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23), emphasizing the gravity of rebellion against divine or kingly authority. your blood will be on your own head
This expression indicates personal responsibility for one's actions. In biblical terms, it means that the individual is accountable for their own fate due to their choices. This concept is seen throughout Scripture, where individuals bear the consequences of their actions (Ezekiel 18:13). It also reflects the justice of God, where each person is responsible for their own sin, and it foreshadows the ultimate accountability before God. In a typological sense, it contrasts with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the penalty for sin, offering redemption and life instead of death. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel, son of David, who is establishing his rule and ensuring the stability of his kingdom by dealing with potential threats. 2. ShimeiA member of the tribe of Benjamin who had previously cursed King David. Solomon places him under house arrest in Jerusalem with the condition that he must not leave, especially not to cross the Kidron Valley. 3. Kidron ValleyA significant geographical location east of Jerusalem, often associated with boundaries and transitions. It serves as a physical and symbolic boundary in this account. 4. DavidThe former king of Israel and father of Solomon, whose legacy and instructions influence Solomon's actions. 5. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon reigns and where Shimei is confined. Teaching Points Obedience and ConsequencesShimei's situation illustrates the importance of obedience to authority and the consequences of disobedience. In our lives, we must heed God's commands and the guidance of spiritual leaders. Boundaries and ProtectionBoundaries, both physical and spiritual, are set for our protection. Crossing them can lead to dire consequences, as seen with Shimei. We should respect the boundaries God places in our lives. Justice and MercySolomon's handling of Shimei reflects a balance of justice and mercy. As Christians, we are called to uphold justice while extending mercy, following the example of Christ. Legacy and InfluenceSolomon's actions are influenced by his father David's legacy. Our actions can have lasting impacts on future generations, emphasizing the importance of living a life of integrity. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 1 Kings 2:37?
2.What consequences did Solomon set for Shimei if he crossed the Kidron Valley?
3.How does 1 Kings 2:37 illustrate the importance of obeying authority?
4.What other biblical examples show the importance of keeping one's word?
5.How can we apply the principle of boundaries from 1 Kings 2:37 today?
6.What does Shimei's warning teach about the seriousness of sin and disobedience?
7.Why was Shimei restricted to Jerusalem in 1 Kings 2:37?
8.What does 1 Kings 2:37 reveal about Solomon's leadership style?
9.How does 1 Kings 2:37 reflect the theme of obedience and consequences?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 2?
11.What is the significance of Kidron Valley?
12.What is the significance of Kidron Valley?
13.Psalm 3:1 references David fleeing Absalom--where is the archaeological evidence confirming this historical event?
14.How does 2 Kings 14:7's claim of killing 10,000 Edomites align with the lack of archaeological evidence for such a battle?What Does 1 Kings 2:37 Mean On the day you go out• Solomon draws a clear boundary for Shimei: “On the day you go out” (1 Kings 2:37). • The command is immediate and practical—obedience is measured in daily choices (cf.Joshua 1:7). • It mirrors earlier moments when a specific “day” of disobedience carried certain judgment (Genesis 2:17;Exodus 12:12). • Takeaway: God-given authority sets limits for our good; ignoring them is not a trivial matter.
And cross the Kidron Valley• The Kidron Valley marked Jerusalem’s eastern border, a visible line Shimei would have to choose to cross. • Crossing it meant moving away from the place of accountability and safety under the king’s eye (see2 Samuel 15:23;John 18:1). • The valley often symbolizes decision points—David crossed it in grief, Jesus in resolve; Shimei would cross it in rebellion. • Takeaway: Physical borders often reflect spiritual ones; stepping past them exposes the heart’s priorities.
Know for sure that you will die• “Know for sure” underscores certainty; Solomon’s warning is not hypothetical (Hebrews 10:26–27). • Capital punishment was within royal authority and affirmed the seriousness of contempt for the throne (Deuteronomy 17:12). • The penalty reinforces the truth that deliberate defiance carries real, irreversible consequences. • Takeaway: God’s justice is neither vague nor negotiable; deliberate sin earns a definite wage (Romans 6:23).
Your blood will be on your own head• Responsibility shifts squarely to Shimei; he cannot blame Solomon (Ezekiel 18:20). • Similar language appears when Rahab’s family was warned to stay inside (Joshua 2:19)—protection is available, but rejection is self-destruction. • Personal accountability is a consistent biblical theme: choices determine outcomes (Galatians 6:7–8). • Takeaway: When God makes the terms clear, refusal leaves us without excuse.
summary1 Kings 2:37 teaches that God-ordained boundaries are meant for preservation; crossing them invites deserved judgment. Solomon’s explicit terms left Shimei fully accountable: if he stepped beyond the Kidron, his death would be self-inflicted. The verse reminds believers today that obedience brings protection, while willful disobedience transfers liability to the sinner alone. Verse 37. - For it shall be, on the day thou goest out and passest over the brook [lit., watercourse, wady. The Kidron is quite dry, except during and for a short time after the winter rains] Kidron [The Kidron is mentioned specially because that was the direction which, it might be presumed, Shimei would take, his old home being at Bahurim], thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die [The Hebrew is, if possible, still more striking and emphatic, "To know thou shalt know that to die thou shalt die." Shimei could not say that he had not been plainly warned]: thy blood shall be upon thine own head. Cf. Leviticus 20:9, and especially Joshua 2:19; also ver. 31 of this chapter.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew On the dayבְּי֣וֹם(bə·yō·wm)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A dayyou go outצֵאתְךָ֗(ṣê·ṯə·ḵā)Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximand crossוְעָֽבַרְתָּ֙(wə·‘ā·ḇar·tā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5674:To pass over, through, or by, pass onthe Kidronקִדְר֔וֹן(qiḏ·rō·wn)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6939:Kidron -- perhaps 'dusky', a wadi East of JerusalemValley,נַ֣חַל(na·ḥal)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5158:A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaftknow for sureיָדֹ֥עַ(yā·ḏō·a‘)Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3045:To knowthatכִּ֣י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionyou will die;מ֣וֹת(mō·wṯ)Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 4191:To die, to killyour bloodדָּמְךָ֖(dā·mə·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1818:Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshedwill beוְהָיָ֣ה ׀(wə·hā·yāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beon your own head.”בְרֹאשֶֽׁךָ׃(ḇə·rō·še·ḵā)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7218:The head
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OT History: 1 Kings 2:37 For on the day you go out (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
